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From Heaven With Love
The Agony of Christ’s Mother
At the place of execution, the two thieves wrestled in the hands
of those who placed them on the cross; but Jesus made no resistance.
The mother of Jesus, supported by John, had followed the steps
of her Son to Calvary. She had longed to place a supporting hand
beneath His wounded head. But she was not permitted this mournful
privilege. She still cherished the hope that Jesus would deliver
Himself from His enemies. Again her heart would sink, as she
recalled He had foretold the very scenes then taking place.
As the thieves were bound to the cross, she looked on with
agonizing suspense. Would He who had given life to the dead suffer
Himself to be crucified? Must she give up her faith that He was the
Messiah? She saw His hands stretched on the cross; the hammer and
nails were brought, and as the spikes were driven through the tender
flesh, the disciples bore away from the cruel scene the fainting form
of the mother of Jesus.
The Saviour made no complaint, but great drops of sweat stood
on His brow. There was no pitying hand to wipe the death dew
from His face; no words of sympathy and fidelity to stay His human
heart. While the soldiers were doing their fearful work, Jesus prayed,
“Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do.” His mind
passed from His own suffering to the terrible retribution that would
be theirs. No curses were called down on the soldiers who were
handling Him so roughly, no vengeance invoked on the priests and
rulers. He breathed only a plea for their forgiveness—they “know
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not what they do.”
But their ignorance did not remove their guilt, for it was their
privilege to know and accept Jesus as their Saviour. Some would yet
see their sin, and repent, and be converted. Some by impenitence
would make it impossible for the prayer of Christ to be answered for
them. Yet, just the same, God’s purpose was reaching its fulfillment.
Jesus was earning the right to become the advocate of men in the
Father’s presence.
That prayer of Christ for His enemies took in every sinner from
the beginning of the world to the end of time. Upon all rests the guilt
of crucifying the Son of God. To all, forgiveness is freely offered.